Lakers dismiss LeBron James trade speculation and defeat Utah.
In Salt Lake City, LeBron James was absent as the Lakers competed in their final game before the All-Star break. In an alternative scenario, he might have been with the Golden State Warriors. However, in this reality, it simply meant that the Lakers and James enjoyed an extra day before the break.
Before the Lakers’ 138-122 victory against the Utah Jazz early Wednesday morning, an ESPN report surfaced detailing efforts by the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers to initiate trade talks with the Lakers regarding James before the recent deadline. Sources not authorized to speak publicly confirmed these attempts, which were strongly rejected.
The discussions regarding James’ potential availability coincided with his enigmatic hourglass emoji post, and his impatience around the trade deadline has become somewhat of an annual tradition with the Lakers. The fact that rival teams even considered the possibility of acquiring James reflects the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers following recent losses to Houston and Atlanta. His player option this summer, coupled with the potential for his son Bronny James to enter the draft, are looming factors that could contribute to offseason drama.
Coach Darvin Ham emphasized that the Lakers’ focus remains internal, stressing their belief in the team despite external speculation. The Lakers’ victory in Boston after James’ emoji post, achieved without him or Anthony Davis, helped the team break out of a two-game slump just before the trade deadline.
“We’re doing a lot of things well,” remarked D’Angelo Russell. “The scary part is we can be better at a lot of things too.”
The Lakers’ triumph in Utah without James marked another significant moment, with the team concluding a seven-game stretch since James’ post with a 6-1 record and displaying excellent morale. Unlike the win in Boston, Davis was present in Utah, playing a pivotal role in a 12-0 run that sealed the game’s outcome at the end of the third quarter.
He notched a team-best 37 points and secured 15 rebounds, marking his 12th double-double in his last 15 games.
“My primary focus is scoring. Everything else comes after that, second, third, fourth, fifth,” Davis remarked. “But as seen tonight, it’s certainly easier when everyone is performing well.”
Rui Hachimura, who has been instrumental in igniting the Lakers’ offense since joining the starting lineup, achieved a career-high 36 points. Austin Reaves contributed 22 points, and D’Angelo Russell tallied 11 points while also delivering a career-best 17 assists along with nine rebounds.
“When I step onto the court, I aim to make an impact on the game,” Hachimura explained. “That’s always my objective. I want to secure the victory for the team and be the X-factor, whether coming off the bench or starting, defensively or offensively. I need to be aggressive, utilize my size, and do whatever it takes to win.”
The Lakers (29-25) are now four games above .500 for the first time since Dec. 15. Their record was two games below .500 the last time they faced Utah, resulting in a loss one month ago.
Since then, the Lakers have transformed into a team that shares the ball and plays at a rapid pace, with Davis serving as the defensive anchor.
“It’s not about what we could become, but rather who we are,” Davis emphasized.
Wednesday’s game posed a challenge to that identity. The Lakers arrived at their Salt Lake City hotel around 4 a.m. after defeating Detroit the previous night, with James already ruled out. Despite the Jazz’s strong desire for victory, the Lakers showed resilience.
However, they didn’t falter. The Lakers shot 57% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc, and 83% from the free-throw line. They recorded 34 assists and committed only nine turnovers.
“It’s difficult to secure a win like that, especially without Bron, who plays a significant role in our strategy,” Reaves commented. “But I believe we stayed focused and stayed true to our game plan. We didn’t panic at any point; we just played our game.”
In an alternate scenario, perhaps one from mid-December, the Lakers might have crumbled at the first sign of trouble. However, in their current reality, one characterized by harmony since the trade deadline, things are looking quite promising.
